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Kenzie · #1 (**permalink**) 01-17-2006, 07:50 PM

I just bought a small ball python almost 2 weeks ago from a breader so she was not from the wild. The store owner said that the snake is deep in it's molting stage and won't eat until it has molted. The snake, Linda, has really grey eyes so it's obvious she is about to sluff. But I feel bad withholding food from her. It's been almost 2 weeks and I still haven't fed her waiting for this infamous molting to take place but it still hasn't. My son loves her and handles her often. I know they rarly strike but feel like not feeding her may initiate one.
My question is, should I try feeding her even though she is in this molting stage?

Thanks,
Kenzie

Adrya · #2 (**permalink**) 01-17-2006, 07:53 PM

Some ball pythons eat while in their shed cycle, some won't. I've had a few of mine eat in their shed cycle. You could try, but the ball python having not eaten in 2 weeks isn't going to hurt it to wait until after it sheds. I've never been bitten by any of my ball pythons while holding them.

unluckyseventeen · #3 (**permalink**) 01-17-2006, 07:53 PM

By molting you mean shedding?

telefrag · #4 (**permalink**) 01-17-2006, 07:53 PM

some snakes will still eat during the shedding process, others dont.

two weeks is NO time at all for a ball python not to eat, your not starving it, trust me.

Unless its really skinny and underweight, it wont miss waiting until afterwards.

I would personally wait, and not handle the snake so much during this time.

Keep it nice and moist (not wet) and quiet and try feeding after the skin is shed.

good luck.

Adrya · #5 (**permalink**) 01-17-2006, 07:57 PM

Dude, we all posted at the same time. LOL!

Kenzie · #6 (**permalink**) 01-17-2006, 07:58 PM

Yes, sorry I thought it was molting. So yes, shedding, molting.... I'm new

Kenzie · #7 (**permalink**) 01-17-2006, 08:07 PM

So how long does this shedding process take? If my BP is deep in the shed process like the breeder said than shouldn't something have happened within the last two weeks? Maybe it's due to my son wanting to "love" it all the time. I think it would break his heart to not handle "Linda" for a week! I just want the little snake to be happy. HELP!

Adrya · #8 (**permalink**) 01-17-2006, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenzie

So how long does this shedding process take? If my BP is deep in the shed process like the breeder said than shouldn't something have happened within the last two weeks? Maybe it's due to my son wanting to "love" it all the time. I think it would break his heart to not handle "Linda" for a week! I just want the little snake to be happy. HELP!

After the snake's eyes become clear again from their cloudy blue phase, it takes up to a week for the snake to shed. Just be patient and don't hold the snake during this time. If you hold the snake too much it could become stessed, and stress is NOT good for snakes and may cause your snake to go off feed.

Yorick · #9 (**permalink**) 01-17-2006, 08:39 PM

yeh i find that my boas lose appatite completely when they are in shed. Unless its early in the shed they show no intrest in the food. But keep in mind snakes can go long periods of time without food if they want to. Also I wouldnt hold my snake during shed because like the above posts said, it streeses them out and you have a chance of being bitten or even making the snake go off feed longer. Just keep the humidity consistant and about a day after shed feed her.

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